Abstract
Hereditary Breast Cancer (HBC) poses a major public health problem wherein about 10% of the total breast cancer burden is due to primary genetic factors. The bulk of hereditary breast cancer is extremely heterogeneous, as evidenced by at least eight to ten differing HBC syndromes, such as hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC), the Li-Fraumeni (SBLA) syndrome, Cowden's disease, Bloom's syndrome, and heterozygotes with the ataxia telangiectasia gene. This extant heterogeneity must be carefully appraised when evaluating patients at risk for HBC. Screening ang management must be melded carefully to HBC's natural history. Genetic counseling plays a crucial part in the overall management of HBC, particularly when DNA testing is under consideration.